what do I say?

[Ghani1992 0]

The consular officer at the embassy wants to know why I haven't filed a federal tax return. He knows that I'm not currently living in the united states. So what do I say?

[Lemonslice 4,841]

The truth?

[LORIEandPHIL 123]

well why haven't you? Even if you live abroad you need to file.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Why didn't you file? When I lived abroad I always filed my taxes no matter what due to I don't want the IRS coming after me. They are a like a bad itch that just won't go away when they are after you. But tell the truth on why you didn't file at all.

[Kastrs 723]

Either you need to file (note earnings below-I believe $96K, are not taxed, but still need to be reported)

OR

you need to explain why you were exempt from filing-for example you have not been working

[Ghani1992 0]

I'm going to tell them the truth. Hopefully that will satisfy them.

[bestluck 71]

Tell then why you haven't file tx cos they verify everything on your end so tell the truth everyone should file tax

[Cathi 5,748]

The consular officer at the embassy wants to know why I haven't filed a federal tax return. He knows that I'm not currently living in the united states. So what do I say?

Always, ALWAYS tell the truth

[raven52 233]

Everyone here says to tell the truth, but it comes down to did you file your income taxes or not??

If you are LPR, or GC recipient you have to file income tax return even if no income.

You may have some problems here. I hope not.,.,..but.,.,.,.,

[awaywego 28]

As others have pointed out, when living abroad, USCs and LPRs are under the same burden to file with the IRS as is someone living in the States.

Here are some IRS links that might help:

Do I Need to File a Tax Return? (Some people do not, e.g., if income is below a threshold)

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (This is the ~$90k of foreign income excluded from US taxes that has been mentioned above)

[Ghani1992 0]

i haven't been working since 2011. i'm dependent on my parents. i'm a full time medical student. how do i file my taxes from abroad?

some of you are asking why didn't i file - well that's because i had no idea that i was supposed to file.

the last tax return i remember filing was for 2010. should i get a copy of this tax return? or is the embassy wanting an answer for 2011-2014? i have no income of my own.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Ok two things:

- You can backfile taxes fairly easily, check out the IRS website. They will normally require the last three years of tax filings, 2010 won't matter.

- If you did not make any money at all (no foreign income, not even from scholarships, grants etc), then you were NOT required to file. In that case, write a short explanation as to why you were not required to file, and include that with your I-864 paperwork.

[Ghani1992 0]

Thank you Penguin. it looks like i wasn't required to file. my mother tells me that the consular officer understands that i wasn't required to file but he needs this explanation from me in writing.

traumadoc, why are you judging me? mind your own business and stick to the thread topic.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

My husband wasn't required to file taxes either while he lived with me in Ireland; different reasons, but here is what he wrote:

To Whom It May Concern:
I am Mr Penguin, Penguin's husband and petitioning sponsor. I did not file an income tax return for the years 2005, 2006 or 2007 because I have not worked during my 3 year residence within the Republic of Ireland. Once I came to Ireland, I was unable to find work and so used savings; I was maintained by my wife upon her income and savings. Since I made no income for these years of any type, I was not required to file an income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service.
Sincerely, Mr Penguin.

[Ghani1992 0]

Thank you for sharing this!